Recommended history book?

[charliepage]

I am looking to get a vietnam book for my birthday but frankly can't remember the title and if the book was moved I will likely not be able to get it (my barnes & nobles is 2 stories) so I would appreciate some recommended books. I don't really prefer a certain subject but I know the least about vietnam so I would prefer that as well as the Korean War, WWII is fine as well.

I am looking for more of an overview-type book. (rather than about a specific battle) Thanks! (also I hope I posted this in the right place)

[digrar]

SAS Phantoms of War by David Horner, if your after an Australian slant of that 60's 70's era.

[charliepage]

SAS Phantoms of War by David Horner, if your after an Australian slant of that 60's 70's era.

I would like something concerning the US side although I may see if my library has that. Thanks.

[Buckeye67]

Hello fellow Cincinnati poster,

I read your question and it dawned on me that I've never really read a book that was just an overview of the war in Vietnam (I'm a WW2 and 18th Century junky).

There was a good thread in the General Discussion section on book recommendations here (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=81676). There may be something that catches your eye there.

If you're looking for something more WW2 or Colonial (specifically 18th Century frontier) oriented, let me know.

Also, hold onto your wallet when the aussies are around. p-)

[charliepage]

Hello fellow Cincinnati poster,

I read your question and it dawned on me that I've never really read a book that was just an overview of the war in Vietnam (I'm a WW2 and 18th Century junky).

There was a good thread in the General Discussion section on book recommendations here (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=81676). There may be something that catches your eye there.

Also, hold onto your wallet when the aussies are around. p-)

Hello there. :)

I guess not so much as an overview (though I wouldn't mind that) but I would just not prefer a book that covers one battle, one incident, etc...I read a D-day book and frankly just got bored and the way I got into military history/military stuff was WWII.

I'll check out that thread, I swear I did a search for the keyword "good book" and that didn't show up. Thanks.

[crazyman]

not a vietnam book, but jes plain REALLY good military history..."gates of fire". 's about the spartans leading up to the battle of thermoplyae. love it...hell the guy who is now 2/75s commander says it changed his life. dunno if i'd go that far, but take it for what you will

[RFSU]

Shadows on the Wall - Stan Krasnoff
Its written by an Aussie but its about his time working with the yanks- Bo Gritz in particular. Pretty good quick read. Though he does spend a fair bit of time blowing wind up Gritz's ass.
Regardless, I have met the man (Krasnoff) and he sure as sh!t knows his stuff.

[StukaJr]

Could someone warrant a good read on Boer Wars?

I've read a gripping novel and has always been fascinated by the subject - the name doesn't reverse translate back into English very well... I don't even know if it was originally written in English - something along the lines of "Captain Breakneck"? bah! Now I'm interested in a good read that covers both sides of the conflicts - however, I'm more inclined on the Boer side...

[bridget]

I am looking to get a vietnam book for my birthday but frankly can't remember the title and if the book was moved I will likely not be able to get it (my barnes & nobles is 2 stories) so I would appreciate some recommended books. I don't really prefer a certain subject but I know the least about vietnam so I would prefer that as well as the Korean War, WWII is fine as well.

I am looking for more of an overview-type book. (rather than about a specific battle) Thanks! (also I hope I posted this in the right place)

here's my rec's

-A bright shining lie

-A rumor of war

-Dispatches


you really can't go wrong with any of these..

[Sith]

A "Bright Shining Lie" and "A Rumor of War" are both excelent books. I have not read "Dispatches" so I can not comment on it.

to add to that I would say "The Best and the Brightest" by David Halberstam. This is a good one because he had a lot of access to the people involved. And since many of those people are dead today, it can not be replicated.

Another interesting one is "Back Fire" by Loren Baritz. While I do not agree with all of his points, it is a very interesting argument.

Thanks,
Sith

[TheBlackHand]

I am looking for more of an overview-type book.

Well then, this is the one you want:

Vietnam : A History (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140265473/103-5255286-1073464?v=glance&n=283155) by Stanley Karnow.

Looks like you can get it with a good deal on the Niel Sheehan book as well.

[nyarlathotep]

Tank Sergeant by Ralph Zumbro.

[Durandal]

Damn, we have a bunch of Cincinnati members in here...

For the Korean War, for an overview, I would suggest:

Max Hastings The Korean War

My sister, who is a poet and non-fiction writer gives me some good books that I normally would not have picked out...

A good Vietnam book she gave me was:

Tim O'Brien The Things They Carried

Maybe we should get a Military non-fiction book club going on at one of the local stores. :)

[gaijinsamurai]

"A Bright Shining Lie"(Neil Sheehan) and "Dispatches"(Michael Herr)
Herr, incidentally, helped Stanley Kubrick with the screenplay for "Full Metal Jacket".

[Mastermind]

"Vietnam - A History" by Stanly Karnow ...tells all and is very objective. Not a book for Americans to read, however. It simply tells the truth without any regard to nationality or reverence to propaganda.

[ZG 1229]

'Vietnam: The History and the tactics', gives the political dimensions of both sides, how America entered, tactics used, the French War, maps , colour and B&W picas. A good read. ISBN0-85613-471-6. This book was published in 1982, so the library or a web book search might help.:)

[MARINO]

i'm reading right now this one:
http://www.agapea.com/inedita/SANGRE-DE-LOS-VALIENTES-i0n238997.jpg
It's about 7 battles where one of the sides was in minority: Thermopilas,Masada,El Alamo, Camerone, Rorke's Drift,Magadiscio,..

[OldRecon]

Stanton, Shelby L.
Rise and fall of an American army : US ground forces in Vietnam 1965-1975

By far my favourite book on the Vietnam war.